The Witch Trial Begins with the OO Buckethead Zombie

That would be terrible.

"..."

Hoshino frowned.

But they didn't scold me.

In other words, he was just a little unhappy.

Because the target of the malice was Emma.

...If it were directed at Hoshino, he would definitely forgive himself without hesitation.

But if she did that, it seemed she wouldn't be able to truly forgive herself.

There is a fundamental difference between doing something to meet Hoshino's demands and doing something because you want to see that outcome.

At least that's how it is for her.

Actually, targeting Emma wasn't a good idea either, but the good thing is that she didn't actually do it.

Forehead......

Not entirely.

However, she didn't really continue to build a good relationship with Emma, ​​nor did she deliberately continue to let herself be bullied in front of Emma.

Should this be considered an attempted crime?

However, the plan against Emma was considered a criminal abortion.

But for Hoshino...

It is the act of committing a crime.

"Of course, those were my thoughts before I met Hoshino." Tsukishiro Yuki couldn't help but nervously lower her hand, grabbing a corner of the elastic white pantyhose and squeezing it slightly to create wrinkles.

"After meeting Hoshino, Emma became less important."

No, that's not needed.

"I think Hoshino is so much fun, I think Hoshino is so interesting, I think I'm drawn to Hoshino, I've fallen for Hoshino."

From interest to liking.

The turning point came here.

But if that's the case, why did the thought of hanging himself arise again?

There's only one possibility: something happened.

Hoshino Utsunomiya listened attentively.

“But at this moment, a question arises.” Tsukishiro Yuki paused slightly, leaned to the side a little, and then straightened up again.

She wanted to lean on him, but was afraid of being disappointed.

"I like Hoshino so much, does Hoshino like me back?"

This is actually a question that people in love can't help but ponder.

Is the affection I give equal to the affection he gives me? I like him so much, but does he like me back?

When one is preoccupied with gains and losses, serious internal friction arises.

"Hoshino's purpose in approaching me, the reason Hoshino got close to me, and the reason Hoshino 'bullied' me."

"Once you hear those words, doubts will inevitably begin to creep into your heart, all the memories of the past will become false, and most importantly..."

"I hate contact with impure motives, and I despise feelings that are not pure, innocent, and sincere."

"I don't want Hoshino to get what he wants; I want to destroy what Hoshino desires."

"I--"

Yuki Tsukishiro's voice faltered for a moment, she swallowed hard, and then spoke again.

"I want to commit suicide, I want to hang myself, I want Hoshino to watch me die."

"Hoshino won't become a witch, but if Hoshino can show enough grief for my death, if Hoshino can show enough sadness and sorrow because of my death."

"Maybe I'll be able to let go of my worries, climb out of the coffin, and jump off the rope."

"This is what I think."

"Therefore, I will hang myself."

It's not clear enough, it hasn't been fully explained, and it's missing the most crucial element—something that was overlooked in the words.

But it's not that Yuki Tsukishiro doesn't want to talk about it, nor that she doesn't intend to.

But that's the case.

It should be used to ask a rhetorical question.

“So, Hoshino.” This time, Tsukishiro Yuki mustered her courage, reached out and pushed Utsunomiya Hoshino onto the bed. Looking at him, who seemed somewhat dazed, she asked softly:

"Why would you say something like 'I want to die at the hands of a witch'?"

This problem is the root cause of my suicide.

I finally asked it.

It's not really a big problem, and it doesn't seem as serious as I imagined.

It has always been something that has restrained me, something that has prevented me from even speaking.

It seems to be just myself.

Will it become easier?

Or is it that once you ask the question, you can stop caring about the answer?

...I still can't do it.

I still care a lot.

So, Hoshino, please tell me why.

Utsunomiya Hoshino: "..."

why.

...Is it really because of such a simple question?

It's somewhat unbelievable.

Putting aside the malice towards Emma, ​​although that way of thinking was problematic, and although the act of deliberately bullying someone and having her friends witness it was despicable.

But that's something that needs to be blamed separately.

The main point is...

Actually, according to the witch's words.

The process from interest to liking, doubts about feelings, and...

Hearing those words

From the subsequent questioning, it's not hard to deduce that the statement meant "wanting to die at the hands of a witch."

It was indeed his expectation, his wish, and the root cause of his approaching and bullying of Tsukishiro Yuki.

...But when have I ever said it out loud?

Or is it based on my behavior of wanting to die twice in the mansion?

But whether it's the first time or the second time, I should have different legitimate reasons.

The first time was because I didn't want to be killed by the Great Witch, so I thought I'd rather die at Meruru's hands.

It's a bit far-fetched, but understandable; it doesn't explicitly point to the identity of a witch.

The second reason is that instead of killing other people, I'd rather just kill the one you hate the most.

There's a sense of sacrifice, a noble sacrifice of the self?

However, this is the reason why Xue committed suicide.

It should not be related to the behavior after suicide.

...that was the reason Xue committed suicide.

Hoshino Utsunomiya suddenly felt a little dazed.

He seemed to accept and believe the witch's answer without much hesitation.

Just as he accepted the witch's answer to the previous question without much doubt.

she......

In a daze, without resisting, Hoshino Utsunomiya was pinned to the bed by Yuki Tsukishiro.

Her petite figure, her light and airy body, her flowing hair, and her small hands resting on her arms.

A glimmer of light flickered in her eyes.

tension.

Because the clothes are very tight, it's impossible to see any particular curves from any particular angle.

but......

Again.

So lovely.

In other words, he suddenly thought of something.

Is it possible that the witch before us...

Is it really Tsukishiro Yuki?

The reason he couldn't accept that the witch in front of him was Tsukishiro Yuki was simply because what she did was too inhuman. She perfectly matched the demeanor of the non-human creatures he knew—very witchy, not cute enough.

But if you really want to think about it, the girl in front of you who is completely focused on him but is frantically stupid might be Tsukishiro Yuki, who loved him but then committed suicide on her own...

Actually, it's more likely than a witch suddenly appearing out of nowhere who falls in love with him at first sight and wants to replace Yuki's identity.